How to Stabilize Video in After Effects with ReelSteady

In this tutorial you will learn how to get started using the plug-in ReelSteady to stabilize footage in Adobe After Effects. We will take a look at a few common scenarios shot on various formats, such as a DSLR and GoPro cameras. You will also learn about the best settings to use on your camera before filming shots you plan on stabilizing in post.

What You Need

Besides After Effects, in order to follow along with this lesson you will need to download the plug-in ReelSteady. A free-trial version is available to download as well, so you can easily follow along with this tutorial and experiment using ReelSteady on your own footage.

Tips before you Shoot

Shoot with a high shutter speed (I usually shoot around 200 to 320.)

Use
a wide-angle lens. A wide-angle or fish-eye lens work best, but if you
don't have one of those, just shoot with the widest lens you have
available.

Shoot in 4K, or the highest resolution you can. More
pixels means more tracking data and less of a chance for pixelization to
occur.

Film using the 'Tripod Trick'. If you have a tripod,
attached it to the bottom of your camera and hold it while moving or
walking. This will help prevent any high frequency vibration that can
cause excessive rolling shutter artifacts.